China's Qin and Han Dynasties Costume  #robe  #costume  #women  #China  #hanfu  #chineseculture  #fashion

Hanfu of the Qin and Han Dynasties (Qin: 221–207 BCE; Han: 202 BCE–220 CE) incorporated and evolved from Warring States Period (475–221 BCE) costume features. The Qin Dynasty favored black, with black shenyi as formal wear. Shenyi’s loose structure and crossed-collar design continued the late Warring States style; daily short jackets with trousers also followed the period’s practical workwear. Qin’s preference for black was also influenced by late Warring States vassal states. Han Dynasty Hanfu grew more refined. Women’s mainstream Quju shenyi (crossed-collar robe) originated in the Warring States Period, later enhanced by more layers and better wrapping for elegance. Men’s popular Zhiju (straight-collar robe) traced to the period’s straight-collar prototypes. Early Han geometric patterns also retained the Warring States’ minimalist style.